The council heard an argument that the statue violates a portion of city code.

“I can make an argument today to get rid of Bienville statue, to get rid of Buffalo soldiers, to get rid of Churchill, to rename Roosevelt Street out in City Park. We can do all of those things because we are judging those people and our values today, which is what this thing says,” said Richard Marksbury, Ph.D., of Tulane University.

Councilwoman Stacy Head replied, saying, “Much of what you say resonates with me because I detest inconsistency. I would prefer, to use an old adage, ‘If you’re going to feed me horse poop, tell me it’s horse poop. Don’t sprinkle sugar on it and tell me it’s a brownie.’”